Building Safer Futures: Evolving Approaches to Economic Empowerment Economic insecurity is both a risk factor and consequence of violence. Economic empowerment is increasingly recognised as a potential pathway to reducing intimate partner violence (IPV) and other forms of GBV.

However, evidence suggests contradictory effects:

• Some studies show increased economic autonomy can reduce vulnerability to violence.
• Others indicate that economic empowerment can increase risk in the short-term due to male backlash and controlling behaviours.

What emerged from SVRI Forum 2024:

• Research gaps in understanding the protective or risk-enhancing effects of economic interventions on IPV.
• Studies showing cash transfer programmes can reduce IPV when paired with gender-transformative interventions.
• Importance of financial decision-making power – women’s control over resources matters more than income itself in reducing IPV risks.
• Case studies of women-led cooperatives, microfinance programmes, and skills training initiatives that improved financial stability and reduced violence.

This webinar will explore what works, what doesn’t, and how economic interventions can be designed to protect rather than increasing risk.